Moretele — The North West Department of Public Safety has kicked off the 2010 Firearms Amnesty roadshow in the Moretele Local Municipality.

Public Safety spokesperson Lesiba Kgwele said the campaign sought to amplify the call for residents to surrender illegal firearms and ammunition without being arrested before the April 11 deadline.

The call came after Public Safety MEC Howard Yawa on Friday launched the campaign under the slogan "Awulethe Umshini Wakho-Surrender your Firearm".

Organised in partnership with the South African Police Service, Business Against Crime and Gun Free South Africa, the campaign aims to eliminate the circulation of illegal firearms and ammunition which contribute to serious and violent crimes.

The objective of the campaign is to reach out to schools, churches, businesses, private security companies, gun traders, taxi associations and farmers' unions and educate them about the Firearms Control Act.

The next roadshow will be at Madibeng next week Thursday.